Flu / Influenza

The Flu (Influenza) is a sickness caused by common viruses that are highly contagious between people. The symptoms can be uncomfortable, debilitating, and, for some high-risk individuals, potentially fatal. Flu can often be prevented by getting a flu shot, which is recommended for most people and strongly for people who spend time around high-risk individuals such as pregnant women, infants, and the elderly.

Dr. Andy Fine offers a flu shot to prevent illness, can determine if you have the flu, and help you get appropriate treatment. To talk to Dr. Fine in Littleton about the flu, please call 303-703-8583 or book an appointment online.

Symptoms of Flu

The flu shares many symptoms with a common cold but tends to be more severe. However, symptoms vary among individuals, so you may not see all these symptoms with every flu. If you have the flu, you may experience:

Fever and chills

Cough or sore throat

Congested or runny nose

Headaches

Sore muscles

Fatigue

Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

When to See a Doctor about Your Flu

The best thing your doctor can do for your flu is to reduce the risk of get it by providing you with a flu vaccination.Prevention: The best thing your doctor can do for your flu is to reduce the risk of get it by providing you with a flu vaccination.

Diagnosis: Your doctor can give you a test to determine whether you have the flu and will treat your case accordingly.

Urgent Care: Sometimes the flu can get very serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should see your doctor immediately. This could indicate that your flu may have developed into a more serious illness.

Difficulty breathing

Pain in your chest or abdomen

Sudden dizziness or confusion

Purple or blue discoloration indicating oxygen shortage

Uncontrollable vomiting

Seizures

Symptoms that get better, and then worsen

Preventing Illness with a Flu Shot or Nasal Spray

A flu shot or nasal spray is a common vaccination that uses your body’s defense mechanisms to prevent you from getting the flu. A flu vaccination includes “deactivated” flu viruses. Your body recognizes them as being viruses and produces appropriate antibodies against them. These antibodies should remain in your system for the duration of flu season, protecting you from actually getting sick.

Why do I get symptoms after a flu vaccine?
Many of the symptoms of flu are caused by your body’s response to the virus, not the virus itself. When your body senses the deactivated flu virus, it will respond, resulting in mild forms of symptoms, including soreness, headaches, and a low fever.

Can I still get the flu after I get a vaccine?
Unfortunately yes, although your risk is about 60% lower. The flu virus is constantly mutating, which means that there are always new versions around. The flu vaccine developed for this year protects you against the three or four that are known to be in circulation, but you have the chance of catching a new mutation.